then touring Canada, begged Brock, whom
he looked upon as a "universal provider," to equip him with canoes and
guides for a western pilgrimage. If Brock's promotion brought him
distinction it also brought him work--Executive Councils,
court-martials, reorganization of militia, reconstruction of the ruined
forts on the Niagara frontier, the building of gunboats, the making of
roads. Never idle. To-day he was inspecting a camp of the 49th at Three
Rivers, near Montreal; next week at Fort Erie. Ever busy, ever buoyant.
Whether perusing documents, scouring the muddy roads at Queenston,
surveying the boundaries of the dreaded Black Swamp, or visiting the
points between Fort George and Vrooman's battery on his slashing gray
charger, he had a smile and cheery word for everyone. As for Dobson, his
profound awe at his master's progress was only equalled by his devotion,
that increased with the illness that threatened his life; while the
faithful sergeant-major, now Captain FitzGibbon, in command of a company
of the 49th, was reflecting great credit on his patron. But no matter
what the tax on his time, Isaac never neglected the "beloved brothers."

In New York there had been financial failures. Brock predicted a
dreadful crash, and had so written to his brother Irving, who with
William had a bank in London. He hoped they "had withheld their
confidence in public stocks." Providence ruled otherwise. While Isaac in
the solitude of his quarters was writing this warning, the banking house
in London, whose vessels in the Baltic Sea had been seized by
Bonaparte's privateers, closed its doors. The news reached him on his
birthday. He learned that a private advance made to him by William for
the purchase of his commissions had been entered in the bank's books by
mistake. He was a debtor to the extent of L3,000.

Brock rose to the occasion. He proved himself not only a soldier but,
best of all, a just man with the highest sense of personal honour. His
distress was all for his brothers. He would sell his commission, turn
over his income as governor and surrender everything, if by doing so he
could save the fortunes of his family. Anything that not only the law
but the right might demand. This failure impaired the former good
fellowship between William and Irving Brock. Isaac wrote Irving,
beseeching him to repair the breach. "Hang the world," said he; "it is
not worth a thought. Be generous, and find silent comfort in being so.
Oh, my dea